Communist Manifesto

Questions: Could communism be successful in today's society? And who would be the best choice for a leader?

Urban, Joan B.. "Communism." World Book. 2007 ed.

History from World Book notes pg. 889 Communism can be a system of government, an economic system, a revolutionary movement, a way of life, goal or ideal. V.I. Lenin: Russian Revolutionary Karl Marx: German social philosopher - 1917 Russia became the first state to be controlled by a commmunist party. - 1949 The Chinese Communist party won a civil war for control of China. - Communism is Latin for communis, which means common or belonging to all. Communism dates back to Greek philosopers, especially Plato. In 300's B.C. he discussed communal ideas in his book The Republic. - 1800's Marx transformed Communism into a revolutionary movement. The Ideas of Marx Marx's basic ideas were first expressed in the Communist Manifesto (1848). - Friedrich Engels: German economist - only way to ensure a happy, harmonious society is to put the workers in control. - stages of historical development end in communism. Communism in Practice - Totalitarianism is one aspect of communism that was shared by all communist countries. *Government controls almost all aspects of people's lives. Structure Pyramid: At the top is a party congress made up of delegates from party organizations throughout the country.(party congresses meet periodically 3-5 years). In the middle are various regional and district organizations. At the bottom are numerous local party organizations called cells. Erickson, John. The Road to Stalingrad: Stalin's War with Germany. London: 1975.

Matthews, Ryan. Famous Communists. 2003-2004 November 22, 2008 <http://www.geocities.com/socialist_platypus/commie_leaders.html>. Men of Power "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." -John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton (1887). V. Lenin major force behind founding the USSR. exiled from Russia, headed to W. Europe from there he led the Russian Social-Democratic Workers' party. (Bolsheviks: led by Lenin, and Menshiviks) Believed WWI was an opportunity to over throw the government. Overthrew Kerensky's "provisional gov." Became a dictator w/ Stalin and Trotsky as associates. Leon Trotsky Disciple of Karl Marx and along with Lenin, "one of the two greatest Marxist of the twentieth century." Wrote for communist newspapers and journals He was exiled many times and continued to support revolutionary movements. Zimmerwald Manifesto: attempted to unite the revolutionary opponents of the war. Lenin's right hand man during the Russian Revolution (1917). Assassinated in 1940. Joesph Stalin Took control of the Soviet Union after the death of V.I. Lenin (1924) Member of the Bolshevik party 1920's overthrew his rival L. Trotsky and became the dictator of the Soviet Union and turned it inot a totalitarian-communist empire. Used terrorism and brutal torture against his own people to control his power. "Along with Hitler, Mao Tse-Tung, Stalin was one of the three genocidal monsters of the 20th century." ---- "History of Communism." Answers.com. 2008. Answers Corporation. November 22, 2008 <http://www.answers.com/topic/history-of-communism>. Answers.com: history of communism (key word) - Idea of a classless, stateless society based on communal ownership of property and wealth dates back to the Republcic and the early Christian Church (Acts of the Apostles). -16th century English writer St. Thomas More, "portrayed a society based on a common ownership of property in his novel, Utopia: leaders administered it through the application of reason." - The ideas of private property was criticized throught the 18th century or Enlightenment era, through such religious thinkers as Jean Jacques Rousseau. *Maximilien Robespierre* - reign of terror: targeted exterminating the nobility and conservatives of France. - he was held in high regard by most communists of his time. *Karl Marx (Again)* Classical society -> Feudalism-> Capitalism (now)-> next step in "social evolution would be a return to communism." Communist Manifesto: the program described is termed socialism or communism. Abolition of land ownership, right to inheritance, progressive income tax, and nationalization of means of production and transprort. Implemented by a revolutionary government.(the dictatorship of the Proletariat) these political policies would be the introduction to the stateless and classless society. - "if the proletariat during its contest with the bourgeoisie is compelled, by the force of circumstances, to organize itself as a class; if by means of a revollution, it makes itself the ruling class, and, as such, sweeps away by force the old conditions of production."-Comm. Mani. Kuhn, Rick. The Communist Manifesto. April 28, 2008 November 22, 2008 <http://www.anu.edu.au/polsci/marx/classics/manifesto.html> ---- Communism and Amorality. 2002-2008 November 23, 2008 <http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/communism.htm>.

Communism and Amorality abolition of private property heavy progressive income tax abolition of rights of inheritance confiscation of property rights central bank Gov. ownership of communication and transportation (the gov. already has the ability to monitor public communication) Gov. ownership of factories and agriculture Gov. control of labor Corporate farms and regional planning Gov. control over education "Fundamentally, The Communist Manifesto was a rebillion against the extreme poverty of the lower class" "Communism is instituted by the people, the system becomes Totalitarian resulting in greater oppression of the people it was designed to serve."(and this has been well documented throughout the history of Communist nations. Communism-The Practical Results horror and atrocity for those under communist rule Communist leaders eventually sway from Karl Marx fundamental teachings. "Communism has only served to remove morality from the masses- a dangerous and costly experiment."